Blakely

The Blakely/Peckville Crime Watch will host its seventh annual Mardi Gras Celebration on Friday.

Festivities will be from 6 to 10 p.m. at Fiorelli Catering, 1501 Main St., in the Peckville section of the borough.

Tickets are $45, but the goal of the event isn’t to raise money, Mayor Jeanette Acciare-Mariani said.

“We don’t make big money on it,” she said, explaining that people “get their money’s worth” out of their ticket. “It’s just my way of getting people together in the borough.”

The event is the crime watch’s only fundraiser, and the group saves its profits to purchase new equipment for the Police Department, Acciare-Mariani said, noting her enthusiasm that 23 people from the Police Department will attend this year’s event.

Turnout has “gotten bigger and bigger every year,” growing from about 100 people in 2013 to nearly 400 people this year, the mayor said.

The celebration will feature a mix of Cajun and Italian food, along with an assortment of desserts, Acciare-Mariani said.

The $45 ticket includes beer, wine and soda, and there will be a jazz band and a dance band, she said.

Reservations will be closing soon because of assigned seating, and no tickets will be sold at the door, the mayor said. To purchase tickets, call Acciare-Mariani at 570-383-9946, and she will arrange pickup.

— FRANK WILKES LESNEFSKY

flesnefsky@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100 x5181;

@flesnefskyTT on Twitter

Moscow

The North Pocono Trails Association will sponsor a Chili and Stew Cook-Off this afternoon at the Jive, 109 Van Brunt St.

Running from 2-4 p.m., the event invites attendees to sample all the chili and stew entries and vote for their favorite. A $10 donation will be collected at the door, though kids 12 and under will be admitted free.

Funds collected at the cook-off will support continued improvements on the North Pocono Trails System.

— JEFF HORVATH

jhorvath@timesshamrock.com;

570-348-9141;

@jhorvathTT on Twitter

Scranton

Pedestrians may notice three new flagpoles adorning the 100 block of Wyoming Avenue in front of Lackawanna County’s new government center at the former Globe store.

Crews installed the new flagpoles recently because the position of the original poles, which protruded out from the Globe’s facade, made raising and lowering the flags a dangerous task, county acting Chief of Staff Donald Frederickson said.

An American flag, Pennsylvania flag and county flag will adorn the new poles.

— JEFF HORVATH

jhorvath@timesshamrock.com;

570-348-9141;

@jhorvathTT on Twitter

The Scranton Sewer Authority changed its monthly meeting time from 4 to 5:30 p.m.

Meetings will continue to be held at City Hall on the third Thursday of each month.

The authority voted 3-0 Thursday —with Chairman Michael Parker, Kevin Whelan and Keleena McNichols all in favor, and Michael Dempsey absent — to amend the board’s bylaws to change the monthly meeting time.

The board’s fifth seat is vacant.

In another matter, the authority also voted 3-0 to hire attorney Michael O’Brien of the Oliver, Price & Rhodes law firm of Clarks Summit, at an hourly rate of $140 and retroactive to Jan. 10, as the authority’s legal counsel in the lawsuit of Anthony Moses v. the SSA and other entities.

Moses filed the lawsuit in October 2017 against Scranton, Dunmore and two law firms involved in the 2016 sale of the sewer system — Abrahamsen, Conaboy & Abrahamsen, which was special counsel to the city in the sale, and Cummings Law, the borough solicitor.

The lawsuit claimed the SSA’s disbursement of sale proceeds done before termination of the authority violates state law. In September, a judge ruled that Moses failed to name the SSA as a defendant. The plaintiff then amended the lawsuit in October to include the SSA as a defendant.

The lawsuit remains pending in Lackawanna County Court. The SSA needs legal counsel to defend against the lawsuit, but authority solicitor Jason Shrive cannot do so because of a potential conflict of interest. Shrive was a former Scranton city solicitor involved in the sewer sale transaction, and thus would have a potential conflict of interest in representing the authority in the Moses lawsuit, he told the authority board Thursday.

— JIM LOCKWOOD

jlockwood@timesshamrock.com;

570-348-9100 x5185;

@jlockwoodTT on Twitter

AROUND THE TOWNS appears each Sunday, spotlighting the people and events in your neighborhoods. If you have an idea for an Around the Towns note, contact the writer for your town, or the Yes!Desk at 348-9121 or yesdesk@timesshamrock.com.

College receives scholarship grant

Williams Companies Inc., through the Williams Foundation Fund at the Tulsa Community Foundation, awarded Lackawanna College a $20,000 grant to be directed toward scholarships for students in the School of Petroleum and Natural Gas.

Williams is an energy infrastructure company that provides clean-burning natural gas to heat homes and generate electricity. The partnership provides a vital connection between education and industry for students.

Bank donates to student program

The Dime Bank donated $4,000 to the American Readers Theatre, or ART, by way of the Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program. ART collaborates with the Delaware Valley School District to bring reading and history together for students through meaningful and integrated considerations of the life and works of one chosen author.

Helen Keller was chosen as the featured author; students will learn about her life, writing and courage through writing, dramatic reading and “visual art in the dark.”

Susquehanna CTC

receives award

The Susquehanna County Career & Technology Center was selected as a recipient of a 2019 Southern Regional Education Board Gene Bottom Pasesetter Award. The center received this award for the implementation of highly effective teaching techniques, which has produced highly effective educators within the CTC system.

Representatives from the center will do a presentation in July in Baltimore detailing this training initiative, which was implemented over a decade ago.

College, Sheetz

to partner

Lackawanna College announced a partnership with Sheetz Inc. for a scholarship program that will offer tuition assistance to its employees. The program will benefit full- and part-time students enrolled at the college’s main campus in Scranton, its five satellite centers and students who are pursuing an online degree.

Employees who qualify will be offered a Lackawanna College Business Partners Scholarship. Full-time associate degree-seeking students will be eligible for a yearly scholarship. Milo Reilly, a student pursuing his Bachelor of Science in business administration, is the first recipient of the Sheetz scholarship.

Chamber sets awards dinner

Back Mountain Chamber set its annual Mardi Gras Awards Dinner for March 5 at the Apple Tree Terrace, Dallas. Dinner, including wine and beer, will start at 5:30 p.m. with presentation of awards to follow. The dinner is open to the public. Tickets can be purchased at $50 per ticket or $350 for a table of eight. Visit www.backmountainchamber.org for details.

Bank donates scholarship funds

FNCB Bank announced a $12,500 Pennsylvania Education Improvement Tax Credit donation to Allied Services in support of the dePaul School for Dyslexia. The school is committed to helping children overcome dyslexia and other learning disabilities so they can return to conventional classrooms. It is based on Allied’s campus in Scranton. The school’s specially trained faculty serve more than 70 students ages 7 to 14 from 19 local school districts.

SUBMIT BUSINESS BUZZ items to business@timesshamro­ck.com or The Times-Tribune, 149 Penn Ave., Scranton, PA 18503.

OVERFIELD TWP. — State police are looking for a person who stole and crashed a truck before fleeing on foot late Friday or early Saturday in Wyoming County.

The suspect stole the red 2004 Ford F-250 from 185 Heavenly Lane in Overfield Twp. sometime between 10:15 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. Saturday, state police said.

After stealing the vehicle, the person crashed the truck on Demunds Road and fled on foot, state police said.

Anyone with information is asked to call state police at Tunkhannock at 570-836-2141.

— FRANK WILKES LESNEFSKY

DICKSON CITY — Allan Borgacci finds chunks of metal near his home on Breaker Creek Road, left when undercarriages of speeding cars sink into a crater caused by mine subsidence.

“They completely bottom out,” he said, recalling an incident during the summer when he heard a loud bang and later found a muffler in the road.

Borgacci and his wife, Ann Marie, built their home in 1999, and they have been dealing with mine subsidence issues since the early 2000s, he said.

Most recently, a subsidence from the former Johnson Colliery caused depressions on Breaker Creek Road, accompanied by jagged, uneven sidewalks that dropped several inches below curbs. To remedy the problem, the state Department of Environmental Protection’s Bureau of Abandoned Mine Reclamation plans to put the project out to bid. Beginning in May, crews will drill holes and inject concrete into the long-abandoned mine shaft.

The project will cost an estimated $200,000, and officials expect to complete work by August.

With a history of mine subsidence problems on the street, the project aims to “alleviate the potential for more subsidence,” DEP spokeswoman Colleen Connolly said.

The mine shaft is up to 8 feet high and 8 feet wide, and it crosses Breaker Creek Road diagonally, said Gary Wilding of KBA Engineering, the borough’s engineer.

The shaft itself isn’t large, but “it’s the length of it,” he said. The shaft is 30 to 40 feet below the surface in spots, he said.

The troublesome areas occur over about 100 feet of mine shaft, Wilding said. Previous work filled two 25-foot sections of mine, and now about 50 feet of mine shaft in the middle is subsiding, he said.

Issues from the mine have plagued Borgacci, who recalls his yard suddenly developing a hole that was about 20 by 30 feet around and 10 feet deep in 2002. He estimated he spent $80,000 on repairs to his home, including $50,000 to raise his house on steel piers after it sank 4 inches, with much of the remaining costs stemming from years of interior damage such as cracking walls, shifting framing and doors that stick because they are no longer square.

“It’s frustrating because we built our dream home here, and it’s turned into a nightmare,” he said.

The worst depression on Breaker Creek Road is directly in front of Bill Rempe’s driveway. The depression began forming about three years ago and “just keeps getting bigger and bigger and bigger,” Rempe said.

“It’s like a speed bump — only inverted,” he said, citing numerous gouges in the road from vehicles bottoming out.

It’s about a foot deep, but it “doesn’t look that big because everything sunk around it,” he said, estimating the section of road near his home has dropped about 2 feet.

He also pointed to two decorative columns in his front yard, one of which also dropped about 2 feet, he said.

In a bid to draw attention to the issue, Rempe began parking his truck directly across the street from the dip in the road, forcing traffic to either carefully navigate the dip or drive into it, he said. He believes that prompted more people to complain.

Residents and borough council members have reached out to state Sen. John Blake’s office, according to Larry West, the legislator’s regional director.

The road is “kind of like a roller coaster,” he said, adding he’s surprised no one has been hurt yet.

Both Rempe and Borgacci believe it’s a matter of time before someone is hurt or killed.

“When is it going to kill somebody?” Borgacci asked. “It’s not if — it’s when.”

The two men are concerned over the potential for a gas leak and subsequent explosion if the subsidence causes the gas lines running through their yards to rupture. Borgacci sniffs the air every time he goes outside, worrying he’ll smell gas.

Breaker Creek is a private subdivision owned by developer Ken Powell, who also owns the road.

Powell said he has been going “back and forth forever” with Dickson City officials regarding the borough taking over the road. Although the road is private property, the borough plows it and collects garbage.

To take over Breaker Creek Road, the borough would want Powell to repair it and agree to pay for any additional repairs for a period of time should there be additional damage caused by subsidence, borough Manager Cesare Forconi said. Should a substantial problem arise, it could cost the borough hundreds of thousands of dollars to fix, Forconi said.

“We’d be crazy to take over a road that we knew was deficient,” he said.

However, Powell doesn’t believe it should be his responsibility to guarantee the road should the borough take it over.

“Why would I guarantee that the road is not going to cave in again when it’s nothing to do with me?” he said, saying it would be “stupid” to guarantee something caused by the mines.

The borough’s engineer cautioned officials about taking over the road, with Wilding explaining he would like to wait at least a year after the subsidence stabilized to see if there is any additional settling before employing mining engineers to assess the road.

The decision would have to take into account both technical and legal issues with repairing and guaranteeing the road, Wilding said, calling it a combined effort between attorneys and engineers.

Until Powell and the borough work something out, Borgacci and Rempe said they feel trapped in the middle and hope the increased safety risk will force someone’s hand to repair the roads and sidewalks.

“It feels like they don’t care,” Borgacci said. “Maybe individuals might care, but their actions haven’t shown anything to demonstrate it.”

Contact the writer:

flesnefsky@timesshamrock.com;

570-348-9100 x5181;

@flesnefskyTT on Twitter

Post auxiliary

sets annual dinner

VFW Post 7069 Auxiliary annual ham and cabbage dinner, March 17, 3-7 p.m. or sold out, 402 Winola Road, Clarks Summit, $10/adults and $5/children, takeouts available; 570-586-9821 or 570-586-0669, bagpiper, 5 p.m.

Post 6082

sandwich sale

Shopa-Davey VFW Post 6082 Auxiliary porketta sandwich sale, March 3, noon-5 p.m., post, 123 Electric St., Peckville, $3.

109th offers

scholarships

The 109th Infantry Regiment Association will offer $1,000 scholarships to children and grandchildren of members and veterans of the regiment. Applications are available at http://109thinfantry.org under the documents tab. Deadline is April 15.

Post 5937 offers

scholarships

VFW Post 5937, Dickson City, will offer two $2,000 scholarships to high school seniors residing in the Midvalley area and children and grandchildren of members of VFW Post 5937; deadline to apply, May 1. Applications are available at the American Legion, 901 Main St., Dickson City; or contact Richard Capwell, 489-2111.

Dickson City post

offers scholarships

American Legion Post 665, Dickson City, will offer $1,000 scholarships to seniors in the Mid Valley School District or who are children/grandchildren of a member of Post 665; deadline to apply is May 1. Applications are available at the post, 901 Main St., 570-489-4304; or through Isadore Dzwieleski, 570-233-1324.

Rep. Flynn sets

veterans outreach

State Rep. Marty Flynn, D-113, Scranton, veterans support program with American Legion service officer, Wednesday, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., constituent service office, Jay’s Commons, 409 N. Main Ave., Scranton; appointments requested, 570-342-4348.

Jessup Post 5544

slates food sales

Jessup VFW Post 5544 Lenten food and clam chowder sale, March 8, March 22 and April 5; noon-5:30 p.m. or sold out, 205 Dolph St.; Man­hat­tan clam chowder, $7.50/quart, $5/pint; New England clam chowder, $9/quart, $6/pint; crab bisque, $11/quart, $6/pint; halushki $5.75/quart, $4/pint; tuna hoagies, $5.75; pierogie with butter and onions, deep fried, or deep fried with butter and onions, $10/dozen, $5.75/half-dozen, $1/each; potato pancakes, $1/each; 570-489-7070 Wednesday before.

Post 7069 Auxiliary

annual dinner set

VFW Post 7069 Auxiliary annual ham and cabbage dinner, March 17, 3-7 p.m. or sold out, 402 Winola Road, Clarks Summit, $10/adults and $5/children, takeouts available; 570-586-9821 or 570-881-0273, bagpiper, 5 p.m.

Marine league sets

ham-cabbage dinner

The Northeastern Detachment Marine Corps League and Museum annual St. Patrick’s ham and cabbage dinner, March 9 , noon to 5 p.m., $10; takeouts available.

Seabees set

birthday party

Seabees birthday party, Saturday, 6 p.m., Dupont VFW, veteran and active duty Seabees and Marines and those who served in support of Seabees will attend. Planning meeting, Wednesday, 7 p.m., American Legion, Main Street, Dickson City.

Vets center opens

Dave Eisele, director of Lackwanna County Veterans Affairs, has issued an invitation to veterans, their family members and others to see the agency’s new office in the Lackawanna County Government Center, 123 Wyoming Ave., second floor, room 262. Appointments are not necessary. The office is open Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Meetings

POST 25

Gen. Theodore J. Wint VFW Post 25, March 3, 2291 Rockwell Ave., Scranton, canteen meeting, noon, post meeting, 12:30.

POST 327 AUXILIARY

Olyphant Raymond Henry American Legion Post 327 Auxiliary, March 4, 7 p.m.

NERMA

Northeast Retired Military Association, Wednesday, 7:30 p.m., Mira’s Tavern, 327 Chestnut St., Dunmore.

MARINE CORPS LEAGUE

Northeastern Detachment Marine Corps League and Museum, March 3, 2 p.m., detachment.

POST 610

American Legion Post 610, Mayfield, March 4, 7 p.m.

VFW DISTRICT 10

VFW District 10, March 17, 2 p.m., Post 6520, 836 Cortez Road, Jefferson Twp.

POST 7069

Abington Memorial VFW Post 7069, March 7, 7 p.m.

POST 4909

Dupont VFW Post 4909, March 4, 7:30 p.m., post home, nomination of officers; home association meeting follows.

Merli Center

Today: Keurig coffee, 8:30 a.m.; morning visits, 8:45; Eucharistic ministry visits, 9:15; pool shooting tournament, 1:30 p.m.; unit visits, 4.

Monday: Morning visits, 8:45 a.m.; Bible study visits on units, 9:30; Octaband with music, third floor, 10:15; bingo by the Stone family, 2 p.m.; senior fitness, 3; unit visits, 4.

Tuesday: Morning visits, 8:45 a.m.; bingo social, third floor, 10:15; Burger King dine-in, 3 south, 12:15 p.m.; volunteer ministry on units, 1:15; choir practice, 1:45; Catholic service, chapel, 3; unit visits, 4; chess night, 2 north, 7.

Wednesday: Morning visits, 8:45 a.m.; arts and crafts, third floor, 10:15; movie, “Sleepless in Seattle,” and pizza, 2 p.m.; Bible club, 2 south lounge, 4; unit visits, 4; poker night, 1 south, 7:30.

Thursday: Morning visits, 8:45 a.m.; chapel service, 10; golf, third floor, 10:15; peer group meeting, 1:15 p.m.; bingo by the state VFW, 2 p.m.; 2; senior fitness, 3; unit visits, 4.

Friday: Morning visits, 8:45 a.m.; coffee and doughnuts by the VFW Department of Pennsylvania Auxiliary, second floor, 10:15; bingo by American Legion District 11, 2 p.m.; senior fitness, 3; unit visits, 4.

Saturday: Morning visits, 8:45 a.m.; current events and music, second floor, 10:15; morning stretch, third floor, 10:15; chess tournament, second floor, 2 p.m.

VETERANS NEWS should be submitted no later than Monday before publication to veterans@timesshamrock.com; or YES!desk, The Times-Tribune, 149 Penn Ave., Scranton, PA 18503.

Elijah M. Watson

Wanted by: Wayne County detectives.

Fugitive since: 2017.

Wanted for: Possession with intent to deliver, criminal use of a communication facility and related offenses.

Description: Black man, 31 years old, 5 feet 9 inches tall, 200 pounds, black hair, brown eyes. Last seen driving a silver 2006 Chrysler 300 with New Jersey registration H19-JHF.

Contact: Wayne County detectives, 570-253-5970, x2255.

Brian Kennedy

Wanted by: Scranton office, state Board of Probation and Parole.

Fugitive since: Nov. 30.

Wanted for: Fleeing and attempting to elude an officer. Sentenced to six months to two years of incarceration. Paroled April 15.

Description: White man, 52 years old, 5 feet 11 inches tall, 230 pounds, gray hair, blue eyes.

Contact: Agent Gary Demuth, 570-614-7244 or 800-932-4857.

Josh Jezorwski

Wanted by: Scranton office, state Board of Probation and Parole.

Fugitive since: Dec. 7.

Wanted for: Theft of movable property, receiving stolen property and obstruction of administration of law/government. Sentenced to three years, 20 days to eight years of incarceration. Paroled July 3.

Description: White man, 32 years old, 5 feet 10 inches tall, 190 pounds, brown hair, blue eyes.

Contact: Agent Gary Demuth, 570-614-7244 or 800-932-4857.

David Kujawski

Wanted by: Lackawanna County Adult Probation/Parole.

Fugitive since: May 10.

Wanted for: Probation violations for underlying offense of simple assault.

Description: White man, 36 years old, 5 feet 9 inches tall, 150 pounds, blond hair, blue eyes.

Contact: Warrant Officer Jerry Spiegel, 570-963-6876 or Spiegelj@Lackawannacounty.org.

Find a pet who needs a new home at the Griffin Pond Animal Shelter.

Roe is a 6-year-old female American Pit Bull. She is very sweet and friendly and has a great personality
Contact the Griffin Pond Animal Shelter at 586-3700 if your pet is lost or goes astray. Staff Photo by Ted Baird

Lily is a 10-year-old female tabby. She is very friendly and is front paw declawed.
Contact the Griffin Pond Animal Shelter at 586-3700 if your pet is lost or goes astray. Staff Photo by Ted Baird




Watch the latest Pets of the Week video here:

With an FBI investigation of Mayor Bill Courtright’s election campaign looming, his newly released campaign finance report shows the mayor raised more campaign money last year than in any previous non-election year, a Sunday Times analysis found.

In some instances, his top contributors since he first ran for mayor also did a lot of business with the city under Courtright’s administration. Of the top 10 contributors, six received city business that totaled more than $6.4 million.

Friends of Bill Courtright, his mayoral campaign committee, took in $114,048 last year, beating the mayor’s previous best non-election fundraising year, 2014, by more than $1,700, according to his campaign finance reports.

Overall, since he first ran for mayor in 2013, Courtright has raised $837,512 in campaign contributions. The campaign spent $768,932 of that. Adding the $12,765 left over from his earlier campaigns for tax collector, Friends of Bill Courtright has $81,345 left.

While his total mayoral fundraising represents a large amount to most people and many municipal candidates, it still falls well short of the $933,000

that former Mayor Chris Doherty

raised in a single year, 2005,

when he ran for a second term.

Efforts to reach Courtright were unsuccessful.

Scranton attorney Paul Walker,

Courtright’s lawyer, said last month the FBI inquiry “relates to questions about campaign finance.” Walker did not describe the nature of the questions. He declined to elaborate in an interview Thursday.

The FBI raided City Hall and the mayor’s home Jan. 9.

Among items agents seized from his home are an iPhone and a laptop,

according to

part of a search warrant receipt obtained by the newspaper. It is unknown what else they seized because documents related to the search warrants remain sealed from public view.

The newspaper examined Courtright’s top donors compared to the amount of business they did with the city between 2015 and 2018.

Contributing to Courtright’s campaign and doing business with the city doesn’t mean laws were broken. Contractors and others regularly contribute to elected officials’ campaigns. It becomes illegal if an elected official trades city business or other favors for contributions.

As a mayoral candidate, most of Courtright’s contributions came from donors who gave more than $250.

His top contributor remains Scranton attorney Edwin A. Abrahamsen,

who donated another $6,500

to the mayor’s campaign last year, bringing his four-year total to $48,650,

or about $1 of every $16 Courtright raised. Abrahamsen acts as the city’s labor lawyer and served as a consultant on the city’s sewer authority sale and parking authority leasing deal.

Since 2015, the city paid Abrahamsen’s law firm, Abrahamsen, Conaboy & Abrahamsen, $535,151

in legal fees, the newspaper found after analyzing annual vendor payments provided by the city.

Courtright and his family contributed the second highest amount of money to his campaigns, $38,950 over the four-year period. The mayor earns $75,000 a year. Records show none of his family does business with the city.

Behind the Courtrights is James A. Valvano, whose company is one of the city’s private snow removers. He donated $33,000 from 2015 to 2018. The city paid his company, TSE Inc., $234,745, for snow removal in the last four years. Last year, T.S.E. Inc. Utility and General Contracting of Dickson City received a $437,000 contract to fix a stormwater conduit whose collapse opened up big holes in Green Ridge backyards.

Ed Zymblosky and his Boots & Hanks Towing & Auto Service donated $26,500 over the four years. Boots & Hanks did $3,000 worth of business with the city in 2015, but records show none since.

Dunmore attorney Todd A. Johns ranks fifth with $25,500 in contributions since 2015. The city paid him $65,551 for legal work since 2015.

More than 50 current and former city employees contributed $23,920 over the past four years.

Rounding out the top 10 are:

Insurance company owner Robert Knowles, whose Scranton firm provides the city with a variety of insurance, $21,000. In four years, Knowles Associates received $3,716,292 for the city’s property, vehicle and liability insurance.

Knowles pointed out his firm did business with the city before Courtright and went through a competitive bidding process. He cautioned against assuming a connection between contributions and contracts.

“We continue (to contribute) because we have a business relationship and we think he’s doing a good job,” Knowles said. “Everybody’s always concerned that if you contribute to the mayor and the city does business with us, there is something questionable.”

However, he said, his business insures multiple nonprofit groups and contributes to their missions, and no one thinks anything about that.

Committee for Effective Government, the political action committee of Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney, the Pittsburgh-based legal, consulting and lobbying firm that consulted on the parking authority deal, gave $17,000 since 2015. The city paid the firm $1,880,351 for its work, all in 2015 and 2016.

Fourteen companies and people based in New Jersey or New York, $16,700.

Insurance executive Chuck Volpe, $13,600. Volpe’s Scranton company once provided various insurance to the city, but hasn’t for years. The city paid $206,500 from 2015 to 2017, to the Housing and Redevelopment Insurance Exchange, a nonprofit managed by one of Volpe’s companies. Volpe said that was to cover unpaid deductibles owed the exchange for long-litigated cases dating back almost a decade. His companies no longer do business with the city and haven’t since at least 2013, Volpe said. The city’s 2018 payment history shows nothing paid to any of Volpe’s companies.

Attempts to reach the other top contributors who received city business were unsuccessful.

Contact the writer:

bkrawczeniuk@timesshamrock.com;

570-348-9147;

@BorysBlogTT on Twitter

The prior testimony of a woman killed in a car crash can be presented at the trial of a former Lackawanna County Prison guard charged with sexually abusing her and another woman, a Lackawanna County judge ruled.

In a one-page order, Judge Julia Munley granted a prosecution motion to present a transcript of Tammy Fox’s preliminary hearing testimony against Mark A. Johnson. In a separate order, she also partially granted a motion to admit evidence of other “bad acts” Johnson is accused of committing.

Johnson, 54, of 2213 Golden Ave., Scranton, is charged with two counts each of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and institutional assault and one count each of harassment and indecent assault in connection with assaults on Fox and another inmate. His trial is scheduled to begin June 17.

Fox, 38, was killed in August in a one-car crash in Scranton. Her boyfriend, John Jenkins, awaits trial on criminal homicide charges for allegedly cutting the brake lines of the vehicle. The Times-Tribune does not typically name victims of sexual assault, but Fox’s involvement in the criminal case and a civil lawsuit she filed against the jail, coupled with her death, made naming her inevitable.

At Johnson’s preliminary hearing in March, Fox testified Johnson made lewd

comments to her while she was incarcerated between 2003 and 2015, and that he once pressed his genitals against her in 2015. The other former inmate testified Johnson repeatedly forced her to perform oral sex on him when she was jailed in 2006 and 2010, and that he once smoked crack cocaine as she performed the act.

Munley’s ruling allows a transcript of Fox’s testimony to be read into the record at Johnson’s trial.

Deputy Attorney General Rebecca Elo also sought to present the testimony of two additional former inmates who allege Johnson sexually assaulted them in the past, even though he is not charged with those assaults. State law allows prosecutors in certain circumstances to introduce evidence of other “bad acts” a defendant is accused of committing to show the person had a pattern of illicit behavior.

Munley agreed to let Elo call a woman who alleged Johnson twice grabbed her breasts and once pressed his genitals against her when she was incarcerated in 2013. She denied the request to call a second woman, who alleges Johnson gave her cocaine and heroin while she was incarcerated at various times between 2008 and 2011.

Munley did not issue a written opinion for either ruling detailing her reasoning.

Contact the writer:

tbesecker@timesshamrock.com;

570-348-9137;

@tmbeseckerTT on Twitter

Abington Heights

Edmund Champlain is a top student in Abington Heights’ NOCTI Automotive program.

The senior is participating in a work experience at Scranton Dodge six days a week. He was recommended for the program by his instructor, Tim Moher.

As a technician in the quick lube at Scranton Dodge, Edmund performs multipoint inspections, oil changes and tire rotations. He also receives free educational opportunities to improve his skills as he works toward becoming a master technician.

Edmund is a member of the National Honor Society and also achieved the rank of Eagle Scout.

— KATHLEEN BOLUS

kbolus@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100 x5114;

@kbolusTT on Twitter

Carbondale Area

Freshman Evan Miller thought the Road Radio USA presentation at Carbondale Area provided a great message for students.

‘The message that was presented drove the point home well: Don’t drink at all because the consequences are way too severe,” he said. “And, especially, don’t drink and drive.”

Students in grades seven to nine attended the assembly on Jan. 15. Road Radio USA discourages driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and reaches student audiences across the Mid-Atlantic and New England states.

The founder, Jim Mothersbaugh, shares his tragic personal story with the students. When he was 18, he was out drinking with friends. They got into a horrific car accident that killed one of his friends and left him in a coma and paralyzed.

He recovered, miraculously, but his tragic experience inspired him to share his story with students in the hope of saving lives.

“I would like to download their podcast the minute it comes out,” said Evan.

— KATHLEEN BOLUS

kbolus@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100 x5114;

@kbolusTT on Twitter

Career Technology Center

Welding technology student Joe Kessler , a senior from North Pocono, is the first CTC student to be nominated for the Northeastern Educational Intermediate Unit’s Scholar of the Year program.

Joe has earned many certifications, including OSHA 10 and 30 and various welding qualifications. He is also a two-time gold medal winner for SkillsUSA and will go back to Hershey in April to compete at the state level.

“Joe is the most qualified welder I’ve taught to date here at the CTCLC, which is a testament to his work ethic,” his instructor, Kyle Linko, said. “I see nothing but great things happening for Joe after graduation this year.”

— SARAH HOFIUS HALL

shofius@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9133;

@hofiushallTT on Twitter

Delaware Valley

Senior Esther Lee appreciates how being involved in extracurricular activities gives her a way to take a break from her busy academic schedule.

A captain on the varsity swimming team, she is active with orchestra, Mu Alpha Theta, National Honor Society, computer programming club and the Northeast Pa. American Regions Mathematics League team, as well as founding the school’s Humanitarian/Girl Up Club.

“Being involved has allowed me to keep my mind sane after a long day of academics and studying,” Esther said. “My involvement in extracurriculars is my way of incorporating the social aspect of my life.”

She was the recipient of the Rensselaer Medal Award and the Rochester Institute of Technology Computing Medal Award. A National AP Scholar, Esther placed second at the Marywood math contest and, as a sophomore, was the math student of the year.

Esther gives back to the community by volunteering with the Day of Caring and Relay for Life. She also raised funds for the Thirst Project and various organizations.

“Volunteering has made me happy. I enjoy seeing the smiles on people’s faces,” she said.

— LISA ZACCAGNINO

lzaccagnino

@timesshamrock.com;

570-348-9130

Dunmore

Junior Erica Brown is assistant editor-in-chief of the school’s newspaper, The Crimson Courier.

Her responsibilities include writing some articles, making sure the writers submit their articles on time and editing pages with the editor-in-chief. Erica has been involved with the newspaper for the past four years, previously as a writer and photo chief.

Now the students are preparing their next issue, full of work by the newspaper staff and their classmates, including athletic and scholastic achievements and both scholastic and community events.

“It’s a fun experience, and we really learn from each other,” Erica said. “I feel accomplished because it’s a great way to get out there and show our work.”

Erica hopes to study communications or journalism with a career goal of working as a writer for a large magazine.

— LISA ZACCAGNINO

lzaccagnino

@timesshamrock.com;

570-348-9130

Forest City

Regional

Senior AnQi Chen assisted the Rotary Club for her senior project by recording the names of the miners who are on a wall memorial in the borough into a memorial book, as well as the names of family members who donated in their loved one’s memory.

This book will be kept in the Historical Society as a public record and tribute to the families and their loved ones.

AnQi is writing the names in calligraphy.

“I am very happy to contribute to something important that has happened in this community,” she said.

She is a member of the drama club, National Honor Society, student council, CHOPS, yearbook and art club.

AnQi plans to further her studies in chemistry next year in college.

— LISA ZACCAGNINO

lzaccagnino

@timesshamrock.com;

570-348-9130

Lackawanna Trail

Novella Wilhelm’s outstanding academic and personal achievements, dedication, school service, leadership and academic growth, earned her Susquehanna County Career and Technology Center’s student of the month.

The senior is in the culinary program at the center. She credits the program’s busy pace in helping her become a multitasker who understands that working together as a team is the best way to complete tasks at hand.

Novella hopes to pursue her dream of being a pastry chef and plans to attend Lackawanna College.

— KATHLEEN BOLUS

kbolus@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100 x5114;

@kbolusTT on Twitter

Lakeland

Alec Bryla is taking on the role of Jack, without his beanstalk, in Lakeland’s production of “Into the Woods.”

“I’m surprised by how much progress the cast has made in this year’s preparation,” he said. “The acting and singing has improved so much since we started rehearsals.”

Alec, a veteran performer with the Curtain Club, is also a member of the National Honor Society, Scholastic Bowl team, yearbook club and the Envirothon and reading teams. He is also a member of the Lakeland chorus and drama club.

After graduation, he plans to study biology.

“Into the Woods” premieres Thursday at 7 p.m. at Lakeland High School. The show also runs Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 2 p.m. Tickets, which are $10 for adults and $5 for students, will be available at the door.

— KATHLEEN BOLUS

kbolus@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100 x5114;

@kbolusTT on Twitter

Mid Valley

Senior Kayla Newlin is leading the expansion of the time mural in the lobby of the Secondary Center.

The mural will represent the past 10 years in the district’s history.

In addition to serving as president of the art club, Kayla received three honorable mentions at the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards at the Everhart Museum.

Kayla, an avid artist outside of school, is also a member of the photography club and had her portfolio displayed outside of Nature’s Grace Health Foods & Deli in Honesdale, where she also collaborated with other artists on a mural that was displayed in the town.

— KATHLEEN BOLUS

kbolus@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100 x5114;

@kbolusTT on Twitter

Montrose Area

Sophomore Morgan Aiken was selected as a student ambassador at the Susquehanna County Career & Technology Center.

Morgan describes her position as a “voice for the students,” where she brings ideas from the student body to Executive Director Alice Davis. In the past, student ambassadors have organized events like technical school dances for SCCTC. Morgan applied for the position and underwent a process similar to a job interview before being selected.

“I wanted to do something for the school and be a voice for the students who need one,” she said.

Morgan, who focuses on health care during her afternoon sessions at the center, hopes to pursue a career as a nurse practitioner.

— STAFF REPORT

North Pocono

Before high school, senior Beth Reynolds said she had no personality.

“I was whoever my friends wanted me to be,” she said. “I also had a really bad relationship with my sister.”

The sisters came together, however, through marching band, of which Beth has been a member for four years.

“I have such a closer relationship with my sister, thanks to marching band,” Beth said.

Beth cites freshman year as her favorite because of the time she spent bonding with her sister and is grateful for the entire music department.

“That is where I met ... the people who helped me find out who I really am,” she said.

— DANIEL ROSLER

drosler@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100, x5365;

@droslerTT on Twitter

Old Forge

First-grader Brayden Guida celebrated the 100th day of school earlier this month.

“We dressed up as 100-year-old people,” Brayden said. “Our teachers had a big party with lots of snacks and coloring sheets. I had so much fun dressing up and was surprised at everyone else’s 100-year-old clothing.”

Outside of school, Brayden participates in basketball, baseball and soccer.

— SARAH HOFIUS HALL

shofius@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9133;

@hofiushallTT on Twitter

Riverside

A team of four fourth- graders will dance to Demi Lavato’s “Solo” for the annual PTA talent show Tuesday night.

The team consists of Bella Gasper , Madyson Owens , Natalie Secor and Emma Bisignani .

“I’m feeling very confident,” Bella said. “We’ve been rehearsing for four months.”

Along with the girls’ dance, the event will also include a variety of talent from kindergarten through sixth grade.

The girls all said that they are excited for the show.

— DANIEL ROSLER

drosler@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100, x5365;

@droslerTT on Twitter

Susquehanna Community

For the last three years, seventh-grader Jackson Maby has wrestled with the Iron Horse Wrestling Club.

He recently placed second in the Pennsylvania Junior Wrestlers state wrestling qualifier on Feb. 17. Next, he will wrestle at the state tournament in Pittsburgh, which takes place March 14-17. Four other students from Susquehanna also qualified: Weston Yannone, Joel Decker, Preston Wolf and Jackson’s younger brother, third-grader Gabe Maby.

“The club members all work hard and do very well when competing,” Jackson said.

— DANIEL ROSLER

drosler@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100, x5365;

@droslerTT on Twitter

Valley View

Senior Kathryn Eberhart was awarded December senior of the month for English 12 class.

“I enjoyed Mrs. Myers’ class and I am honored to have received this accolade,” she said.

Kathryn is a member of Spanish club, SADD club and art club.

She also dances at Kelly Patrick Studio of Dance.

— KATHLEEN BOLUS

kbolus@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100 x5114;

@kbolusTT on Twitter

Wallenpaupack

Fifth-grader Logan Kadet-Cintron is very involved in Cub Scout Troop 401, where he is a Webelo 2.

Earlier this month, Logan and the rest of his troop took part in their Pine Wood Derby.

Logan said he likes his friends there and the fun activities they do.

“I like doing things to earn badges,” he said.

— DANIEL ROSLER

drosler@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100, x5365;

@droslerTT on Twitter

Wayne Highlands

Second-grader Kase Krupa has a joyful personality, enjoys school and has made big improvements in his reading, school administrators said.

While at home, he enjoys reading to his youngest brother, Colton. Kase also likes playing basketball and baseball and loves his pets.

A fan of roller coasters and water slides, Kase is always ready for an adventure.

— DANIEL ROSLER

drosler@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100, x5365;

@droslerTT on Twitter

Western Wayne

The administration recognized eighth-grader Lucas Putman as an outstanding student.

Lucas has made the honor roll each quarter since the beginning of middle school and is a fan of science and math.

“I like learning the processes of different concepts, along with how they are done and what they are used for,” he said.

In the fall, Lucas competed with a group of Western Wayne Middle School students in the annual Young Scholars competition, an academic quiz bowl for local seventh- and eighth-grade students at Scranton Prep.

Lucas is also a member of both the Western Wayne cross country and track teams and, last season, placed 12th in district competition.

“My mom, coach and my older teammates are all strong influences for my success in running,” Lucas said.

— DANIEL ROSLER

drosler@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100, x5365;

@droslerTT on Twitter

School districts throughout the region started off the cold-weather season with an early snow day in November. Snow, sleet and ice hit hard again in the new year, prompting cancellations that changed scheduled days off and some graduation dates.

Abington Heights, Carbondale Area, Dunmore, Forest City Regional, Lackawanna Trail, Lakeland, Mid Valley, North Pocono, Old Forge, Riverside, Scranton and Valley View canceled classes for weather between five and nine days since the early Nov. 15 storm.

Students in Pennsylvania must be in class for 180 days. Unpredictable weather, like the messy mid-November snow or past blizzards in March, can mess up any plan.

Each school district makes up snow days differently. Some districts have begun to make up days or will make up class during upcoming holidays.

While most districts build days into their yearly calendars to avoid changing graduation dates, others, including Carbondale Area and Valley View, add them on to the end of the school year and announce graduation dates in the spring.

Abington Heights, Dunmore, Lakeland and Mid Valley have not moved graduation dates.

Forest City Regional, which used the most snow days of the local districts, marks graduation as “tentative” on the school calendar, said Patricia Chesnick

, administrative assistant to the superintendent.

The Scranton School District

is saving “extending the year as the last resort,” said Robert Gentilezza

, chief compliance officer,

North Pocono Superintendent Bryan McGraw

has also not made a final decision on the end-of-year schedule.

Lackawanna Trail’s graduation was moved from June 7 to

14

, said Superintendent Matt Rakauakas

.

To account for snow makeup days, Old Forge moved its graduation to June 10

, said Superintendent John Rushefski

. Riverside’s graduation was moved from June 12 to

13, said Superintendent Paul Brennan

For

up-to-date information about changes in school calendars, contact the districts or visit their websites.

Contact the writer:

kbolus@timesshamrock.com;

570-348-9100 x5114;

@kbolusTT on Twitter

Snow days used as of Friday:

Abington Heights: 5

Carbondale Area: 8

Dunmore: 5

Forest City Regional: 9

Lackawanna Trail: 8

Lakeland: 7

Mid Valley: 5

North Pocono: 7

Old Forge: 5

Riverside: 5

Valley View: 5

Scranton: 5

Feb. 25, 1969

Scranton School Board suspends superintendent

Before a crowd of 450 people, the Scranton School Board at its Feb. 24 meeting voted 7-1 to suspend district Superintendent Joseph Pollock.

The relationship between the board and Pollock had started to fall apart at the Founder’s Day dinner of the Scranton Area Council of Parent-Teacher Associations. At the dinner, Pollock publicly charged that the members of the board were interfering with his administration of the school district.

On Feb. 22, school board President Henry Dende called on Pollock to resign. Pollock responded: “I am awaiting legal advice before responding to this or any other statement on the matter.”

Before the meeting, Director Harvey Gelb called upon his fellow directors to “defer action on the removal or request for resignation of Schools Superintendent Joseph L. Pollock.” The other directors didn’t listen. Gelb voted against suspending Pollock.

After the board’s vote, the public weighed in.

More than 50 people addressed the board, and not one spoke in favor of the board’s decision. Mrs. Albert Clark of the Scranton Area Council of Parent-Teacher Associations called on the board to rescind its vote, and she offered her services as mediator in hopes of resolving the quarrel between the board and the superintendent.

When answering questions from the audience, Dende and district solicitor James A. Kelly were booed and jeered. During the course of public comment, Dende had to call the meeting to order 53 times in the three-hour-plus meeting, which adjourned at 11:43 p.m.

After the meeting, Pollock met with the school board behind closed doors to discuss his role with the district during his suspension. While Pollock and the board were meeting, many of those who had been in attendance at the school board session gathered at Westminster Presbyterian Church and formed the Citizens Committee for Better Schools.

BRIAN FULTON, library manager,

oversees The Times-Tribune’s expansive digital and paper archives and is an authority on local history. Contact Brian at bfulton@timesshamrock.com or

570-348-9140.

SCRANTON — Andrew Aydin worked alongside his boss and mentor, the congressman and civil rights icon John Lewis, to bring alive the principles of the movement for a new generation.

Aydin, who served as keynote speaker Sunday during the Greater Scranton Martin Luther King Commission’s annual MLK Awards and Community Celebration Dinner, co-wrote the graphic memoir series “MARCH” with Lewis. The three-book series chronicles the longtime U.S. representative from Georgia’s story as a civil right activist.

Aydin and Lewis’ book was a New York Times best-seller and the first graphic novel to win the National Book Award, among many other achievements.

But what Aydin, digital director and policy adviser to Lewis, is most proud of is how many schools teach their book, reaching a new generation of activists.

One of those activists was also honored at the dinner Sunday.

Karla Sandoval, a seventh-grade student at Northeast Intermediate School in Scranton, was named Young Leader of the Year. Karla volunteers after school, and last year participated in Scranton’s March for Our Lives on March 24. She also sang “We Shall Overcome” alongside Kelis Perkins to open Sunday’s community event.

She’s passionate about the fight against gun violence and plans to continue working to make sure everyone feels safe and happy in their schools.

This year’s celebration dinner in the McIlhenny Ballroom at the University of Scranton’s DeNaples Center centered on “The March Continues: A New Era in Peaceful Activism.” The event and its speakers highlighted “Dr. King’s philosophy of facilitating cultural and legislative change using nonviolent means,” according to the university. The event was rescheduled to Sunday after winter weather forced postponement in January.

Koni Bennett, owner and operator of VANITY Boutique Salon in Scranton, was honored for Business of the Year. Sister Donna Korba, I.H.M., director of justice and peace at the IHM Center in Scranton, received the Distinguished Honor.

Joel B. Kemp, Ph.D., assistant professor of theology and religious studies at the university, was guest speaker.

Contact the writer:

kbolus@timesshamrock.com;

570-348-9100 x5114;

@kbolusTT on Twitter

NEW YORK — About twice a month, the “Today” show looks like a home-shopping program. TV personality Jill Martin comes out for a four-minute segment called Jill’s Steals and Deals, hawking discounted coats, watches or electric toothbrushes. Then she steers the show’s millions of viewers to its website to buy.

What’s not said on the air: nothing can be returned. And buying a product means shoppers automatically agree to sign over their rights to sue NBCUniversal, the network that airs the “Today” show.

Other daytime shows have similar segments, including “Good Morning America,” ‘’The Real,” and “The View.” It’s a way for the shows to make extra money. But for shoppers, it can mean unfavorable return policies and slow shipping times that are only explained on the website.

Edee Bruns didn’t realize the “Today” show had a no-returns policy until a fitness tracker she bought showed up and didn’t work. She paid $18 for it, which the “Today” show said was a discount of 82 percent from $99.95.

“It looks like a prize you would get at McDonald’s,” said Bruns, who lives in South Portland, Maine.

She said the company that makes the product didn’t respond to her email and “Today” didn’t respond to her complaints on social media.

“I didn’t expect it to be perfect,” Bruns said about the fitness tracker. “I just expected it to work.”

JoAnne Zucconi of Park Ridge, New Jersey, said she bought the same fitness tracker and that it “doesn’t even go on.” She got her money back by reporting the purchase to her credit card company.

The one bad experience won’t stop her from buying from morning shows in the future because she’s found good deals in the past for bags, children’s books and American Girl dolls from both “Today” and “Good Morning America.”

“Some of the stuff is really nice,” Zucconi said.

Here’s what to know if you’re tempted to buy something from a TV talk show deal:

Profit motive

The shows are not offering discounted stuff out of the goodness of their heart — they’re doing it for the money, said Edgar Dworsky, the founder of ConsumerWorld.org, which has written about the segments.

That can be confusing to viewers, who see the same hosts who interview high-profile politicians also promote products in a segment that looks like it is part of the show. Dworsky says the segments don’t make it clear that the shows are making money, and instead flash a notice in fine print about receiving “financial consideration” or leave it up to their website to explain. “The consumer is left in the dark,” said Dworsky.

The “Today” show, in a statement, says it takes a cut of total sales from Jill’s Steals and Deals. Representatives for “Good Morning America,” ‘’The Real,” and “The View” did not return a request for comment.

Make sure it’s a deal

Before clicking buy, always go online and search the product to make sure the deal being promoted can’t found elsewhere for cheaper. Also, read reviews and make sure the maker of the product seems reputable and has positive reviews.

Read return rules

Make sure you know the return policy before buying, since it can differ from product to product, even if you’re purchasing from the same show. Sometimes the policy can be hard to find. At “Good Morning America” and “The View,” both of which are aired on ABC, the return policy doesn’t show up until right before checking out — and you’ll need to click on a link to see it. Also, check if you need to pay shipping for returns, which is likely. In the case of “Today” and many of the products sold through “The Real,” purchases can’t be returned.

Know when you’ll get it

The products are typically shipped straight from the company that makes them, which can mean slower than expected shipping. “The View’s” View Your Deal website says most orders ship within two to five days of when the order is placed. At “Today,” the Jill’s Steals and Deals website tells shoppers that items are shipped within two weeks of purchasing them.

Can’t sue us

Viewers that buy something from the “Today” show may not realize they are also automatically blocked from suing NBCUniversal.

Instead, anyone with a claim would have to go into arbitration with the company. Consumer advocates have long said that arbitration clauses are bad for consumers and designed to protect companies. To check if you’re signing off your rights to sue, click on the “Terms” section on the bottom of the website, where arbitration clauses are typically placed.

The “Today” show says it will “make every reasonable effort to informally resolve any complaints, disputes or disagreements that consumers may have with us.”

SCRANTON — City council questions a state Department of Transportation requirement for a no-parking zone in front of a proposed apartment building next to Kildare’s Irish Pub.

The city planning commission in September conditionally approved plans by BS Scranton LLC for a four- to five-story apartment building of 48 450-square-foot efficiency units at 617 Lackawanna Ave. and Kressler Court.

The conditions involved various approvals needed from outside agencies before the city provides building permits. One of those conditions was for the developers to secure a driveway permit from PennDOT.

For that permit, PennDOT wants the city to create a 30-foot-long no-parking zone along Lackawanna Avenue, from Kressler Court to a driveway near Kildare’s.

Council introduced the no-parking-zone ordinance Jan. 28 and advanced it on second reading Feb. 4, but then tabled it Feb. 11 for review.

On Jan. 28, Councilman Wayne Evans first expressed concern that creating this no-parking zone requires eliminating four metered parking spaces fronting the vacant lot. He likened that to the state “applying highway design standards on our local streets.”

During a council caucus Feb. 11

with BS Scranton engineer Chris Sespico

about the issue, Evans restated his concerns. He suggested that in exchange for losing the four metered spots, the state allow creation of four metered spaces a little further down on Lackawanna Avenue.

“I always have a hard time with PennDOT’s philosophy of creating less parking,” Evans said.

Sespico said the proposed no-parking zone is “strictly based on the sight-distance requirements.” Evans said on-street parking actually makes pedestrian traffic safer, by creating a sidewalk buffer and slowing vehicular traffic down.

“My point is we never look at these things holistically,” Evans said. “If we’re going to lose four parking spots there, why can’t we pick up four parking spots further down on Lackawanna Avenue,” either by eliminating part of the right-turn lane onto Adams Avenue or gain spots back in the 500 block of Lackawanna Avenue.

Sespico said the matter is not really in the developer’s purview, but he would relay the suggestions to PennDOT.

“My suspicion is it’s going to get probably shot down, and then we’ll be in the same position,” Sespico said.

Council also invited PennDOT to the Feb. 11 caucus, but the agency did not have a representative available to attend.

Evans, council President Pat Rogan

and members Tim Perry and Kyle Donahue expressed concern about holding up the apartment-building project.

“I think the benefit of having that vacant piece of land developed outweighs losing a couple parking spots,” Rogan said.

But council agreed to temporarily table the ordinance.

“I don’t like when projects stall, but if we can squeeze a net zero loss on those parking spots, I think it’s a win for everybody,” Perry said.

Sespico said it could take two to four weeks to get a reply. As of Friday, council had not received a reply. Efforts to contact a PennDOT spokesman Friday were unsuccessful.

Council, which did not meet Feb. 18, meets tonight at 6 p.m. at City Hall.

BS Scranton, a firm of Kildare’s owner Dave Magrogan and partners Vaughan Buckley and Dana Spain, all of the Philadelphia area, see a downtown rental market of college students and young professionals.

Sespico did not have a target date for a groundbreaking but said the developers are working on securing permits from various entities.

“My client is eager to get this (project) underway,” Sespico told council. “They want to get all the approvals by mid-March.”

Contact the writer:

jlockwood@timesshamrock.com;

570-348-9100 x5185;

@jlockwoodTT on Twitter

The family of a Waymart man fatally shot by state police can proceed with a federal lawsuit seeking damages for his death, a judge ruled.

Senior U.S. District Judge A. Richard Caputo denied a motion that argued the troopers involved in shooting Derek DeGroat were immune from liability because they were acting within the scope of their employment. He placed the case on the court’s June trial list.

DeGroat, 21, was killed Dec. 21, 2015, after troopers responding to a domestic dispute confronted him outside his mother’s Canaan Twp. home armed with three rifles, a hatchet and machete. Troopers opened fire after he refused orders to drop the weapons.

Former Wayne County District Attorney Janine Edwards, now a county judge, ruled the shooting was justified. The lawsuit, filed in 2016 by DeGroat’s father, Michael DeGroat, alleged the troopers overreacted to the situation.

The suit named Cpl. Derek Felsman and Troopers Brett Ast and Michael Oakes as defendants. It seeks damages on several counts, including excessive force, wrongful death, negligence, and assault and battery.

Senior Deputy Attorney General Jessica Davis, attorney for the troopers, maintained they had sovereign immunity, a legal principle that says government employees acting within the scope of their employment cannot be held liable for injuries to a plaintiff. DeGroat’s attorney, Veronica Renta Irwin, argued the case fit within an exception to the immunity if the employee’s actions were “excessive and dangerous.”

In his ruling, Caputo said a dispute remains over whether the troopers’ actions were justified. Because of that, he cannot rule prior to trial whether they are protected by the immunity statute.

Caputo did dismiss one count of the lawsuit that sought to hold each of the troopers liable for failing to intervene and stop each other from shooting DeGroat. Caputo said evidence shows the shooting lasted just five seconds, which was too short to allow any of them to stop the action of the others.

Contact the writer:

tbesecker@timesshamrock.com;

570-348-9137;

@tmbeseckerTT on Twitter

Dear J.T. & Dale: My superior doesn’t like to approve leave (whether short or long) until the day before the leave itself. The reason given is that he would not know what will happen in the future and at the point when I take leave, the company might be in need of me. This makes it almost impossible to plan a holiday, especially to book cheap flights.

— OMAR

DALE: Such a policy, if rigidly enforced, is simply unacceptable. There are occasions where you see it — for instance, a startup where everyone is working furiously toward a launch date or in retail during the holiday season — but only for specified periods of time. However, in general, employees with a life would leave such a company, and so should you. My only hesitation is the word “like” in your first sentence — does he whine about it but still makes exceptions?

J.T.: That’s why I would set a meeting with him and let him know about a trip you are hoping to plan and the need for you to book the flights early enough to make them affordable. Ask him what you can put in place or do in advance to go on this trip. Hopefully, he will give you assurances. If not, go to HR or to upper management and tell them what is happening and see what advice they offer. However, know your boss will likely be upset that you went around him and may take it out on you.

DALE: I’d only do that if you have a good job lined up, and, if so, why bother?

J.T.: That’s where I was headed — to suggest you look for a new job and leave. Any vacation policy that doesn’t let you plan a vacation isn’t a fair policy.

Dear J.T. & Dale: I just graduated culinary school and I want to start a business helping people shop for food and make healthy meals. However, I need a full-time job to support myself. That leaves no time for the business. What should I do?

— CARLI

J.T.: My advice is to dedicate a certain amount of hours of your free time each week to developing the business. You might want to take a course on starting a small service business. I’d also suggest finding a mentor. There are also some great free resources like SCORE, which connects you with retired business owners for mentoring.

DALE: The undertaking you’re describing would make an ideal business to evolve into. You’re not in business when you have a company name; you’re not in business when you have a spreadsheet, or even when you have an office or shop with your name on it. No, you’re in business when you have a customer. Said another way, just start.

JEANINE “J.T.” TANNER O’DONNELL is a career coach and the founder of the career site www.workitdaily.com. DALE DAUTEN is founder of The Innovators’ Lab Visit them at jtanddale.com, where you can send questions via email, or write to them in care of King Features Syndicate, 300 W. 57th St, 15th Fl, New York, 628 Virginia Dr., Orlando, FL 32803.

Drivers won’t have a roomier ride on the Central Scranton Expressway until fall, officials said.

Not long after the Harrison Avenue Bridge project started in spring 2015, the expressway, which is normally two lanes inbound and two outbound, narrowed to a single lane in each direction.

Last summer, state Department of Transportation officials said the work to restore the road back to four lanes would be complete this June. Now, a project manager said the work will likely take until the fall.

Minichi Inc. of Dupont, which built the bridge, ripped out about 250 feet of the two inbound expressway lanes to clear a path for heavy equipment to build the Harrison Avenue Bridge. Minichi will now rebuild what it removed.

“We’re coming along OK,” said Patrick McCabe, PennDOT’s bridge project manager.

McCabe anticipates the whole project being finished by October, or Thanksgiving at the latest.

McCabe said he hopes to get “an awful lot done this (construction) season.” There are other sister projects in the area that must be coordinated with; that might not necessarily slow any projects down, “but you have to work together,” McCabe said.

Those projects include repairing nine bridges from Interstate 81 Exit 180 in Moosic to the Moosic Street exit in Scranton, the last of which won’t be started until the completion of the Central Scranton Expressway, Taluto said.

“This thing has a lot of moving parts, and I’ve learned not to talk in absolutes,” McCabe said.

Although the completion date has been pushed back, work has begun on the expressway restoration. Crews are about halfway done building a precast concrete retaining wall that holds up thousands of 2-inch stones and the rebuilt concrete and asphalt of the expressway.

Minichi’s restoration plans include resurfacing the expressway, from Interstate 81 to Spruce Street, and installing a concrete divider between the inbound and outbound lanes, which McCabe said he is happy about for safety reasons. The 42-inch-high divider — similar to the one on the McDade Expressway — will replace the short curb that separates them now.

Contact the writer:

drosler@timesshamrock.com;

570-348-9100, x5365;

droslerTT on Twitter

MONDAY UPDATE brings

Times-Tribune readers up to date on past or pending stories of interest. To offer a suggestion for a Monday Update, please email metrodesk@timesshamrock.com with

“Monday Update” in the

subject line.

Dunmore

Society meeting: SS. Anthony and Rocco Altar and Rosary Society meeting Wednesday, 7 p.m., parish hall, Luke Avenue and Kurtz Street, Dunmore; plans for annual Ash Wednesday pizza fritta sale will be discussed.

Hawley

Open house: 2019 spring open house, March 23, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Lackawanna College, Lake Region Center, 8 Silk Mill Drive, 3rd floor, Hawley. RSVP by March 21, by calling 570-226-4625; or email lakeregion@lackawanna.edu.

Honesdale

Golf outing: Central Volunteer Fire Department 2019 annual golf outing, June 23, 8 a.m., Cricket Hill CC, Honesdale, $80/person, includes round of golf, green fees, golf cart, buffet after golf, contests with prizes, door prizes. Contact/reservations: Vince, 570-685-5605.

Old Forge

Kindergarten registration: Registration for the 2019-20 school year for kindergarten, Old Forge school auditorium, April 2 and 3; child must be 5 years old on or before Aug. 31; bring proof of age, proof of district residency, immunization records and tuberculin test.

Olyphant

Spaghetti dinner: 50th annual spaghetti dinner sponsored by Eureka Hose Company 4, 717 E. Grant St., Olyphant, Saturday, fire station, takeouts available 3-5 p.m. and dinners served 5-8 p.m., $10/ticket for the all-you-can-eat event available from any member or from Chairman Mayor John J. Sedlak Jr., 570-383-1406.

Regional

Legal aid: North Penn Legal Services helps those behind on mortgage or facing foreclosure; no charge; clients must be income eligible and live in Lackawanna, Luzerne, Carbon, Pike or Monroe counties. Contact: 877-953-4250.

Scranton

Pancake supper: Pancake supper, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 232 Wyoming Ave., Scranton, Shrove Tuesday, March 5, 5-7 p.m., church hall, $8/adults, $5/seniors and youth ages 6-12; children under 5, free; takeouts available. Tickets: church office, 570-342-7654; tickets also available at the door.

Throop

Rummage/bake sale: Rummage and bake sale, Throop Hose Company 1, 512 Center St., March 23, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., donations appreciated and may be dropped off at the hose company hall from 1-4 p.m. March 20, and from 1-3 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. March 21 and 22. Contact: Carol, 570-383-1019; or Elaine, 570-489-8703.

CLIPBOARD ITEMS may be sent to yesdesk@timessham

rock.com or Clipboard, c/o YES!Desk, 149 Penn Ave., Scranton, PA 18503. YES!Desk, 570-348-9121.

MOSES TAYLOR

BLANCO: A daughter, Feb. 14, to Mario Blanco and Melanie Berrios, Scranton.

BOTTGER: A son, Feb. 14, to Robert and Jamie Bottger, South Abington Twp.

D’ALESSANDRO: A son, Feb. 18, to Brandon D’Allesandro and Cassandra Hendrickson, Moscow.

DECKER: A daughter, Feb. 14, to Matthew and Cassandra Rhodes Decker, Old Forge.

DeFARIA: A son, Feb. 17, to Mateus and Emily Kolata DeFaria, Blakely.

DESKA: A daughter, Feb. 17, to Matthew Deska and Kerry Gaynor, Brooklyn.

FRANZONE: A daughter, Feb. 18, to Timothy and Megan Kamosky Franzone, Elmhurst Twp.

GARAN: A daughter, Feb. 17, to Kyle Garan and Felicia Holderman, Scranton.

KUNA: A daughter, Feb. 17, to Phillip and Christina Harrison Kuna, Clarks Summit.

LESCHER: A son, Feb. 15, to A.J. and Kendra Jenkins Lescher, Scranton.

LUKUS: A son, Feb. 16, to Michael and Dillon Colarossi Lukus, Clarks Summit.

MACKING: A daughter, Feb. 14, to Matthew and Mallary Macking, Clifton Twp.

McCORMICK: A son, Feb. 16, to Christopher and Danielle Sparrow McCormick, Dunmore.

MICKAVICZ: A daughter, Feb. 15, to Kenneth and Lisa Paszek Mickavicz, Taylor.

RÚIZ-LÓPEZ: A daughter, Feb. 16, to Pablo Rúiz Torres and Madelaine López Troche, Scranton.

SCATURRO: A son, Feb. 16, to Joseph and Amy Florentino Scaturro, Scranton.

SKIBINSKI: A son, Feb. 15, to Robert and Genell Scombordi Skibinski, Eynon.

TOPA: A daughter, Feb. 16, to Bernard and Jessica Paszek Topa, Scranton.

WEISS: A son, Feb. 18, to David Weiss and Precious Lisandrelli, Moscow.

GEISINGER WYOMING VALLEY MEDICAL CENTER

DIXON: A daughter, Jan. 18, to Anthony Dixon and Forren Gilbride, Scranton.